Geshe Michael Roach and Yoga

Yoga is a valid and very powerful technique to work on the energy channels within the body. Yoga is mostly found in Indian Hindu tradition, however there is a small amount of yoga also found in some Buddhist texts. The Buddhist yogas are generally secret, unless one has taken specific initiation ceremonies. It is not common, however, for Buddhist teachers to teach yoga to public audiences.

With the proliferation of excellent yoga teachers around today, why would a highly trained Buddhist Geshe concentrate on teaching Yoga?

Due to the huge interest in yoga in the west, it is a perfect vehicle to introduce those already interested in spiritual practice to the Buddhist teachings. Geshe Michael Roach has also burned many bridges in the Buddhist world and has been barred from teaching in the 140 centers belonging to the FPMT, one of the larger and more credible Tibetan Buddhist organizations. The Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has also informed Geshe Michael Roach in writing that he is no longer welcome to visit Dharamsala (the home of the Dalai Lama). With the huge interest in Yoga in the west, teaching this discipline will ensure Geshe Michael Roach of a growing student base.

“However, faith in one’s guru does not mean blind faith. It does not mean believing “My guru is perfect,” even though your guru is not perfect. It is not pretending that your guru’s defects are qualities. It is not rationalizing every foible of the guru into a superhuman virtue. After all, most gurus will have defects. You need to recognize them for what they are.” Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

CNN 8/2012

Kumaré

Movie synopsis: Sri Kumaré is an enlightened guru from the East who has come to America to spread his teachings. After three months in Phoenix, Kumaré has found a group of devoted students who embrace him as a true spiritual teacher. But beneath his long beard, deep penetrating eyes, and his endless smile, Kumaré has a secret he is about to unveil to his disciples: he is not real. Kumaré is really Vikram Gandhi, an American filmmaker from New Jersey who wanted to see if he could transform himself into a guru and build a following of real people.